Traveling To Puerto Vallarta 2022 by Kerry Tice
I traveled to Puerto Vallarta which is in the state of Jalisco, Mexico for the first time in May 2021. I’m an American yoga instructor and yoga retreat leader from Sarasota Florida. I’m not yet fluent in Spanish and I felt completely comfortable getting around the Puerto Vallarta area. Puerto Vallarta is nestled just on the North end of the state of Jalisco, just south of the state of Nayarit. The natural shape of the bay and the beautiful sweeping hills and rolling mountain scapes of Jalisco provide a majestic ambiance, even your smartphone pictures give you the gist. I had such a great time on my initial visit that I returned again September 2021 and January 2022, and am excited to return for our Mexico Yoga Retreat June 11-18, 2022.
As you approach Puerto Vallarta, the views from the plane are incredible, it really gets you hyped up to see the surrounding areas. The Puerto Vallarta area contains vast natural resources that range from waterfalls to Eco farm tours, whale watching excursions and everything in between. Whether you’re into bird watching, hiking, Tequila tours, swimming with the dolphins, or seeing your first humpback whale, connecting with nature in this area is as easy as booking your flight to Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Each time I visit, it brings a peacefulness to my heart and soul.
The Bay of Banderas is home to many seasonal migrations including pregnant and nursing humpback whales. Learn more about the migration of humpback whales. The bay’s coastline is 65 miles long and is divided into the following: the north coast of Punta de Mita to Bucerias all the way to the south coast from the west side of the river at Boca de Tomatlán to Cabo Corrientes, approximately 32 miles. The humpback whales migrate to this location year after year in the beautiful sheltered bay just south of Baja Mexico. They say seeing a whale in person changes you. I witnessed it with a group of 14 amazing people on our last yoga retreat at Xinalani. For our whale watching excursion, we set out just off the shores of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches. Within a few minutes we had spotted our first humpback, then another, and then another. We were in whale heaven, we had found the sweet spot! As we approached one group, another group of whales would surface behind us…It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. La Bahia de Banderas was truly alive with whales that day, it was an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my days. Once we returned to the retreat center, you could see the entire group was on a whale high for the rest of the day. There was a special glint in each of their eyes and you could see a peace they had found in their hearts. Going on a whale watching excursion is an incredible experience to share with a group. I cannot wait to go again next year on our yoga retreat in January 2023.